Triennale Milano Celebrates John Giorno, the Poet Who Transformed Spoken Words Into Art
The Triennale Milano is hosting “A labour of LOVE”, an exhibition celebrating the legacy of John Giorno, one of the most iconic poets and performers of the contemporary scene. Co-curated by Nicola Ricciardi and Eleonora Molignani and supported by Giorno Poetry Systems, the opening event attracted numerous prominent figures from Milan’s art and cultural scene, a testament to the profound impact of this poet of Italian descent (his mother’s family hails from the province of Matera). Among the attendees were Stefano Boeri, President of Triennale Milano, along with Massimo Giorgetti, founder and creative director of MSGM, painter Louis Fratino, Elena Vasco, Alessandro Teoldi, Stephanie Glitter, Pablo Molezùn, and Edoardo Bonaspetti.
Guiding the audience through the exhibition—designed by studio EX and featuring the involvement of Cuore – Centro studi, archivi, ricerca, as well as Triennale’s monumental staircase—was Nicola Ricciardi himself, joined by Damiano Gullì and Bonnie Whitehouse. The immersive journey unveiled the most intimate and experimental facets of Giorno’s work, which spans over sixty years of cultural history and transformed the spoken word into a true art form.
The exhibition delves into the friendships, collaborations, and artistic influences that shaped Giorno’s path, showcasing rare archival materials. Among the legendary figures who crossed his creative journey were William S. Burroughs, John Cage, Allen Ginsberg, Keith Haring, Jasper Johns, Patti Smith, Michael Stipe, Robert Rauschenberg, and Andy Warhol.
At Cuore – Centro studi, visitors can explore first editions of Giorno’s poetry books, LPs released under his GPS Records label, and a selection of previously unseen documents highlighting his relationships with his legendary contemporaries. Closing the exhibition is a striking installation on Triennale’s Scalone d’Onore, featuring a selection of his “Perfect Flowers”—vibrantly colored canvases framing some of his most celebrated poetic phrases.
Ultimately, “a labour of LOVE” is more than just an exhibition; it is a tribute to John Giorno’s boundless creative energy, his ability to reinvent poetry, and his relentless passion for connecting people through art.
Photos: Niccolò Campita
Text: Germano D’Acquisto
